“I hope you enjoy it!” I said.
They moved on just in time to avoid Pre-Dominant Harka displaying wrestling techniques on her husband for Hazel’s benefit.
The mansion air conditioning was blasting, but the room was still pretty warm.
Between the heat, the thumping music, and the colored flashing lights, it was starting to be a bit much for me.
I skirted the edge of the room, smiling whenever one of my people bowed to me, and just about gasped in relief when I made it to one of the French doors that opened onto the extensive back patio.
I staggered outside, waving to the three fae who were stationed there—Chase’s men.
I wandered up to the closest one, rubbing my ear. “I just need a few minutes of quiet.”
The fae nodded, her ponytail bobbing. “I’ll let Lord Linus know.”
“Why?”
“Chase informed us he is in charge.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course he did. Yeah, okay, please go ahead and tell him.”
She nodded to me, then turned slightly away to mutter on her wireless headset.
I stretched my arms above my head, turning around when I heard the door click. “King Solis, hello!” I beamed at the monarch of the Day Court.
Like the Court he ruled, he was handsome, warm, and golden with copper hued robes, and a golden crown that was similar to mine both in shape and the way it had a sun emblazoned in the center.
He was tall and lean with the typical smooth/ageless fae beauty, except for the fine lines around his eyes that made him look more approachable and kinder than other fae. He looked a bit older than Lord Linus—maybe in his early forties—but I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was old enough to be my grandfather. Fae weren’t immortal, but they aged really slowly and lived a lot longer than humans or even werewolves did.
“Queen Leila, I offer you my congratulations for your official crowning ceremony.” King Solis’s golden hair gleamed in the dim, solar powered patio lights the gardeners had strategically placed. “Your banquet will certainly be something talked about for years!”
“Thanks. I’m glad you could come.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” King Solis said. “Our Courts—and fates—are intertwined.”
I grinned up at the older monarch. “It’s just that our Courts are connected, it’s not that we’re friends or anything?”
King Solis had a bright laugh that practically glittered. “As humorous as always, are you? Yes, we are friends. I would have moved the sun to come just because today isyourbanquet.”
I patted King Solis on the hand. “Thanks, King Solis. I’m glad our Courts are besties, too.”
“Ahem.”
King Solis twisted around. “Ahh, yes—you wanted an introduction,” he said. “Step forward.”
Two fae—a female and male standing arm in arm, glided forward, sharp smiles settled on their lips.
“Good evening,” the female said.
“Queen Leila, this is Angstra and Manith.” He gestured first to the female, then the male. “They’re acquaintances of mine who came with me tonight.”
“It’s a rarity to meet the new Queen of the Night Court.” Manith offered me a perfect bow and then a dimpled smile. “On behalf of our region, please let us express congratulations.”
“Your region? You’re not from the Day Court?” I asked.
“No, though we consider the Day Court our own.” Angstra laughed a little. “We’re not from the Midwest region, but rather the Mid-Atlantic area.”
“You’re just visiting the area, then?” I asked.
